April 2012
Greetings from the General Council Office,
As my term of as Moderator draws to a close, I wanted to share with you a lasting reminder of God's Abundant Healing of Soul, Community, and Creation.
Enclosed you will find a gift of wildflower seeds--two packages per congregation--which I invite you to plant as a contribution to your community's celebration of Earth Day 2012, which falls in the season of Easter, on April 22.
This gift is intended to be a reminder of God's abundant love and our identity as Easter people, wherever the wildflower seeds take root. Whether you choose to plant the seeds in a church yard, a community garden, or a cemetery, your congregation is invited to join with other United Church congregations in this Earth Day celebration of God's creation. I imagine the children of your congregation being among those to select and plant in a place where you can delight in the growth and beauty of these flowers.
Also available for your congregation to use as part of your Sunday services on Earth Day is a shared liturgy and a new hymn for all ages. You can download both from www.united-church.ca/earthday.
Following worship on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, you are invited to a "refreshment hour" to take place in real time nationally, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. We will be sharing our stories of hope and inspiration in God's healing of soul, community and creation through an hour-long live webcast. Join in by computer, either from home or from church, by visiting www.united-church.ca/earthday .
May God continue to bless our journey as we participate in our Creator's healing, mending work.
In our abundant life in Christ,
Mardi Tindal
Moderator
The United Church of Canada
